Mailing List lml@lancaironline.net Message #15074
From: Joseph Trepicone <jtrepico@columbus.rr.com>
Sender: Marvin Kaye <marv@lancaironline.net>
Subject: [LML] Re: Fw: FYI- Darus Zehrbach - learn ALL the facts first
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 12:33:24 -0400
To: <lml>

Hamid Wasti wrote:

I have read the entire appellate court opinion on Darus's unsuccessful appeal ... You are right, the issues in those cases were not about his ability as an engineer or connected to his current venture... Darus Zehrback was found guilty, not once, but twice, of committing fraud and lying. If you feel that has no reflection on the claims he is currently making, then I guess you must be the person they are talking about in the saying: There is a sucker born every day.

Hi group,

Building an aircraft, especially one as complex as a Lancair, is an extremely difficult project. An amateur builder like me, must rely on every resource available to help create something that will be safe, fast, fun and hopefully professional looking. This forum is quite probably my single biggest resource I have and I silently thank those responsible each time I learn something new. It is not the place for personal attacks and I will not tarnish it's significance by doing so.

I am not endorsing the TIIV 650. I am carefully watching its development and suggesting time will tell if it is the "real deal".

If I had the expertise required to create an engine - and I most certainly do not - what would I create? My "wish list" may be something like this:

  1. 1. Direct Drive
  2. 2. Thermal Ceramics cylinders
  3. 3. Dry film solid lubricant coatings
  4. 4. Liquid Cooling with the inlets, radiator, and exhaust inline to reduce cooling drag
  5. 5. Tuned Exhaust
  6. 6. Inverted 90 degree "V" design for max compactness and rod length and to prevent steam pockets in the heads and improve cooling.
  7. 7. A crankcase sump allowing critical engine parts (valve train, etc) to run in an oil bath not sprayed with oil.
  8. 8. "Y" block for stiffness (blocks distort)
  9. 9. Internal balancing not with a flywheel
  10. 10. Dual Electronic Ignition
  11. 11. Digital direct port electronic fuel injection (injected back far enough to completely vaporize the fuel for max combustion)
  12. 12. Gapless piston rings with forged pistons
  13. 13. Roller rocker arms
  14. 14. 2.75 OD crank not the now famous 2.25 we all know
  15. 15. Low drag cowl designed for the aerodynamics of liquid cooling not air cooling
  16. 16. Turbo normalizing (not over blown)
  17. 17. Ability to run on 92 octane unleaded fuel and still maintain adequate power
  18. 18. A lot of horse power - perhaps 400 at 29,000 to max the capability of the IV airframe (not even the turbine comes close to that).

With the exception of the last all of these are proven to be on the Zehrbach engine. Soon that last will be confirmed. As I said before "time will tell". Don't we owe it to ourselves to wait and see?

There are many more features to this engine I can not remember, but I believe my point is made. As I stated in the beginning I am not and engine designer or engineer and I do not proclaim to be.

I believe one of the major problems of this world is the lack of vision by many of us. We see things as they are and lack the ability, or the inclination, to see things as they could be and quite probably should be. It is easier for us; it allows us to cope better perhaps. I've been an architect for many years and I combat this condition every single day.

Years ago an architect named Frank Lloyd Wright designed a house not far from Mr. Zehrbach's shop as a matter of fact. This magnificent house, like no other, was nestled in the woods and had large balconies cantilever over a waterfall. Critics said it would not stand and, in the public's interest, tried desperately to stop its construction. They failed and so in 1936 when Wright had just completed the project he invited his "vision deprived" critics to visit the site. He even provided lawn chairs for their comfort and, while they watched, walked out to farthest point of the largest balcony and preceded to violently jump up and down as hard as he could. The house stood and his critics were disappointed but the masterpiece is here today for all of us to enjoy and it is recognized as one of the most significant architectural works of the 20th century.

I have no doubt Mr. Wasti would have been invited then and perhaps now Mr. Zehrbach will continue the tradition.

best regard,

Joe Trepicone

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